I think there are some distinct variables that can work against the tones sounding similar. But side-by-side with my NS-2, the Euro4LX-Classic with P/J setup sounds similar, but definitely not exactly the same. The growl is there. The signal from the TP is cleaner... less gritty. And there is a warmth to the USA Circuit that the TP doesn't have. But that could be the difference in neck woods (Pau Ferro vs. European Rosewood), body woods, alloy nut and bridge (open string) to solid brass... And my NS-2 being a BEM model is bright as all get-out.
The more interesting comparison is my NS-2 to NS-4. MAN there is some power to the NS-4 that it took running the NS-2 next to it for me to hear. The volume output of the NS-4 is much greater. It's a more mellow sound, much deeper. Much more headroom... but just as growly and gritty. Which was surprising to me.
Yeah, Petr changed his story on that honestly. The original information provided was what he gave PJ. Trust me, PJ was as surprised by the new information as we all were. But there is a MAJOR language barrier thing with Petr. Brilliant guy but his English is very broken and hard to understand at times.
SPECTOR is the manufacturer. Petr works at the Czech factory. So the issue here is a language barrier thing. Petr does have the right to market the TP in Europe under his own brand.
According to PJ, he sat in Petr's laboratory with his 1983 NS-2 (Brooklyn) and they would play notes through the same amp, PJ's NS-2 and Petr with a computer design system he used to "program" the sound of the TP. And they spent days working through different EQ settings etc... hitting a series of different notes, to try and get the TP's tonal output as close to the NS-2's as possible. And I've heard the similarities more than once. Does it sound exactly like it? No. But it's way closer than any other JFET-based circuit on the market. And the JFET circuits are superior from a design/signal-load standpoint.
Which ironically, all of the Aguilar OBP circuits are... wait for it... JFET Circuits. They're just not "colored" the way the TP is. They are MUCH cleaner. Much less gritty and growly. They sound amazingly clear, very high signal fidelity, in studio. They are very solid circuits for someone who wants to record and then tour and have the two sound the same... meaning in studio performance and live stage performance.
The TP and OBP are basically designed the same, or at least the heart of the technology that allows for signal processing and amplification are the same. But that's about it. Petr designed the TP to sound like the USA 9v SPECTOR (Haz) circuit and he had PJ to work with him and a real Brooklyn NS-2 to tie it all together.
I'm not saying it's a perfect solution, but the cost of the technology is part of the advantage. The materials in the TP are 1/4 as costly as those in the "Haz" and they provide a cleaner signal honestly. Part of the reason that you can get a Euro for 1/3 the cost of a USA. Put the Haz in the Euro basses and there export taxes (for sending the NJ made Haz to Europe for installation), there's the cost of making them... add $500 or more to the cost of the Euro.
I think that ultimately if PJ and Stuart are happy with the tone of the Euro, that's enough for me. And you can always do an upgrade if you want.
)? A 34" scale was his second.
